German presents to take on a visit to India

I am visiting some people in Baroda, India and I wish to take them a small present each that is typical of Germany or more specifically Munich.

What small items would be appropriate?

I thought about a traditional Beer Mug. But I suspect they might not appreciate it and think me a raving alcoholic!

See here for German Gift Ideas. For non-drinkers I rather like chocolate, its small, easily packed, and well received. Just make sure it isnt so hot at your destination that it will melt in cargo or handcarry it. Theres a brand whose name escapes me that actually has individually wrapped chocolates with various pictures of Munich on them.

Thanks, special chocolates are a good idea.

Its currently 45 degrees there at the moment. I'm not sure how I make sure that it is not too hot there! I am trying to manipulate the weather as we speak!

Ceramic plates or ashtrays or cups as available from that little shop at the back of the Rathaus whose name I cannot recall right now. It's on the Marienhof side closer to Dallmayr than Kilian's, and they have the most ravishing items, I could spend thousands of Euros there easily.

Bah, I think something non-meltable would make a better present. Hows about a German curry cookbook, be good for a laugh at least. Seriously depends on how much youd like to spend, if it were me, I'd love German knives but giving/receiving them is so not kosher with many cultures. No clue how Indians view it.

If you follow up on Sarabyrd's suggestion, also check out Dallmayr. Its a very german brand and you could get some nice specialty goods, jams, honey, coffee, funny flavoured teas etc. that would also be non-alcoholic, easily packed. Last idea: if they've never been here then consider a nice picture book and an invitation to visit ... would make for good conversation.

I second Sarabyrd's idea. I've bought one too many souvenirs there when traveling back home. They are small, not ultra-expensive and protray typical things in the city. Depending on how much you want to spend you could also take a look at the two souvenirs shops in Kaufingerstr. next to the Vodafone shop, where they sell cuckoo clocks.

Just rob a Milka cow and be damned. Everybody loves chocolate. Should be a few going cheap as they're off-season at tbe moment. Or on eBay cheap. Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate.

Chocolate.

When I went a few years ago, we stayed with people and they were super happy to get german and swiss chocolate. If you are meeting them in their city and staying with them the choc won't melt, especially if you are staying in hotels. As every hotel I stayed at had minibars. Or gummi bears.
Have a great trip.

Chocolate and gummybears would be my suggestion.

I once brought a small white bone china lion from the Nymphenburg Shop at Odeonsplatz (the smallest one, as they are expensive) to India. It was appreciated (in general people there love nick-nack and lions seem to be highly valued in india as well).

Why not go and get them a Digital Picture frame, a 1Gb memory card, then have an afternoon out with your camera...

Then they can see where you live! and when they are cheesed off with your pictures, they can continure to load the card with their own!

G

Grinner, that's a great idea - not only for this thread but as a general personal gift. You're not just a pretty face!

How about some place mats with pictures of alsatians on them?